Faa Fines An Airline Materials Carrier

O'HARE/MEIGS FIELD — The federal government imposed a $75,000 fine Thursday on Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd., which operates as United Express, for allegedly violating hazardous-materials regulations.

The Federal Aviation Administration alleges Great Lakes, based in Spencer, Iowa, improperly transported three shipments on a passenger plane in August 1997.

The first shipment contained a fuel-control unit that had not been drained of fuel. The second box had not been labeled to indicate that it contained hazardous materials--an explosive trigger for a fire extinguisher and a radioactive placard used to illuminate aircraft signs. The third box was labeled to indicate that it contained hazardous materials when it did not.

Great Lakes, which operates out of O'Hare International Airport and Meigs Field, has 30 days to respond.

The FAA on Thursday also assessed an $85,000 fine against Paxton Patterson Co. of Chicago for alleged hazardous materials violations.